The Pembrokian News and Views from the Pembroke College Development Office
Issue )CV
Michaelmas Term 2000
Letter from the Master Dr Robert Stevens appeals for 'continuing financial support'
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thank each and every one of you who has written to me about my retirement. Kathie and I will be sorry to leave, but I have no doubt that eight years is long enough, especially with the pressure under which Masters now live. As you know, these pressures build up. We have had serious financial problems at the College and in the short term we have gone a long way to solving these. Equally importantly, however, we need to increase the academic performance of the College. While the Norrington tables are misleading, we are clearly not doing as well as we should. Equally, while I think it is essential that we take the best qualified students, it is vital that we reach out so that we are attracting the best qualified students from state schools, as well as from independent schools. Whoever succeeds me will inevitably have to face continuing financial constraints. The whole University sector has been underfunded for nearly twenty years now. So-called efficiencies have meant that each year universities have had AY I
a cut in their budgets. In terms of research grants, Oxford has done well, but in terms of the basic grant, all universities have suffered, Oxford among them. Clearly, the University has considerable needs. From the point of view of the colleges, however, the need is even greater. The officials in the Department of Education, who advise this Government, have long wanted to make Oxford colleges less important. One can understand the political motivations insisting that Oxford should get no more per student than other universities, but the officials in the Department for Education ensured that the money would be paid to the University, rather than to the colleges. While the University has been honourable in transferring that money on to us, over a ten year period our income will be cut by a third. At the same time the Government made it illegal for us to charge fees - at least to EU and UK students. Clearly, we cannot continue as we used to. We will have to cut back on the number of subjects we offer, but most importantly, we are going to have to cut back on the tutorial method. How far we have to cut back will depend enormously on the willingness of the Old Members to support the College. I cannot say often enough, or loudly enough, that we receive no money directly now from the Government. Part of
"taking silk is a risky business"
what we used to get goes to the University, which thus far has A channelled it to us, but the amount personal profile gets smaller each year. How far we have to cut back on the tutorial by method will depend on the amount Anthony Russell, QC of money we are able to raise. Thus at this transition time, from one on page three Master to another, I hope each of you will help to contribute to the endowment for fellowships - to delighted to say that a parent of a maintain the tutorial method - or current student has made a most to our annual giving programme to_ generous gift, which will enable us maintain the quality of education to offer a significant number of at the College. scholarships to disadvantaged There are, of course, so many students to cover maintenance demands on our resources. We had and other matters. We shall, had a virtual maintenance however, continue to need holiday for twentyfive years on this additional support. It is site. We have now begun the increasingly understood in the process of trying to renovate University that, if the quality of staircases. You will find staircases education in the University at 2, 3, 7, 9, 10, 11 and 17 have large and some modified form of already received serious the tutorial system in the colleges attention. However, we have is to survive, then inevitably we many more staircases to go. We will need to have some form of have a gift to renovate Broadgates top-up fee in keeping with the Hall- perhaps the ugliest room in traditions of access. Assuming the University - but there is still this is so, we will have to much work to do in the Hall, and raise more funds to ensure that we have no gift for that. Pembroke remains open to all. As we look to the future, we The shopping list could go on should be thinking of how we can for ever. We need to have fund students who have computer access in every room. I real financial need. While many of hope, one day, we will be able to our students can afford both the accommodate all three years in fee imposed by the Government College or in adjacent buildings. (which is a form of taxation and I was told that some of you does not go to the University) and have been suffering from donor the costs of living in College, fatigue and others thought we had which have inevitably escalated, not asked enough for funds for the there are some who, with future. I am sorry if you suffer maintenance grants abolished, from the former; I am have real difficulties. I am happy to remedy the latter.
Events
Fights Week 1st VIIIs first and second on the river Week 2000 proved to be a major triumph for the College. On the 20th anniversary of the first appearance of a Pembroke Women's / Boat in Eights, the Ist VIII bumped Osler Green early on the first day to go head and continued to lead the way for the rest of the week. The climax, enacted before the usual crowd of spectators, came on the final day when they held off a very spirited assault by a New College crew, containing five university squad members, to row over as Head of the River. The VIII was an interesting blend: three novices, Caroline Hyde at stroke, Anna Jowett and Louisa Rowbotham at 4 and 5; two blues, Karen Jones and Catherine Heyes, at 6 and 7; the present women's captain, Daire Magill, at bow with her predecessor, Alice Dale, at 2. Finally, at 3, Cat Stoodley, rowing in her fourth and, she vows, her final Pembroke Ist VIII day. At cox, Kajsa McLaren who, fresh from her success in the men's University Boat Race in March, had never coxed a women's crew until this term. History was made in at least two ways. Never before had a mixed undergraduate college been Head of the River and never had a college had its two Ist VIlIs first and second on the river. The men's Ist VIII started the week in second position, set between two very fast boats - Oriel ahead and Exeter behind. Although not able to catch Oriel, they were very successful in holding off Exeter's challenge and are thus poised to strike again for the Headship next year. Coxed by the Men's Lightweights cox and President of the Pembroke Boat Club, Ben Crystal, half the crew were second years and the remainder evenly divided between first and fourth years. Of the squad members, our blue Ben Burch rowed at 6, whilst our other Lightweights halfblue, Alex Eggeman, was at bow and our Nepthys oar, Iain Smith, rowed at 4. lIGHTS
Mens 1st VIII Alex Eggeman Geoff Dolman Will Hoppitt Iain Smith Ian Graham Ben Burch Richard Pinckney El Hamawi Ben Crystal Mark Lauder
Ladies 1st VIII Bow Daire Magill 2 Alice Dale 3 Catherine Stoodiey 4 Anna Jowett 5 Louisa Rowbotham 6 Karen Jones 7 Catherine Heyes Stroke Caroline Hyde Cox Kajsa McLaren Coach Marcus Munafo
Cricket Club Cup League League Cup League Cup League League League
College 121 a.o. 163 a.o. 127/4 117/4 162/8 133/9 150/4 78/5 185/8
Opponents Queens Hertford St Hughs LMH St Caths St Anne's Balliol LMH Corpus
Tennis Club 64 a.o. 85 a.o. 126 a.o. 116 a.o. 62 a.o. 160/9 145 a.o. 77 a.o. 135 a.o.
In the tennis league the college won all five matches: versus St Antonys, Worcester, Queens, St Hugh's, LMH In Cuppers however they lost to Worcester in the first round
Played 9 Won 8 Lost 1
A 'Welcome Home' A Personal Perspective by Terry Slesinski-Wykowski
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my work in organisational behaviour consulting, I so often think in terms of outcomes. As I think back about last week and the start of the Pembroke College Reunion of 2000, two outcomes stand out
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John Kay (1938), Tony Slesinski, Mrs Toni Slesinski, Brian Wilson (1948), Ms Terry Slesinski-Wykowski (1982), Jo Wilson, Dr Savile Bradbury, Kathleen Kay, Rev Dr John Platt (1956), James Platt (1993), Dr Sheila Bradbury, James Wykowski
for me. We became a family - not just for the alumni and their families who were present - but all the alumni past and present, extending into the future - our legacy which we all are creating now. Another memorable outcome is that although the Reunion began as a North American Reunion, through our requests to include some of our British Pembrokians, we blended our Pembroke family and became one.
The Reunion began officially on Monday, 31st July with a welcome dinner in the Hall, followed by a talk by Sir Roger Bannister, who continues to inspire and charm us with his past and present feats. We are so fortunate to have Sir Roger and Lady Moyra Bannister nearby as regular members of Pembroke College (at the Reunion they announced the birth of their 13th grandchild, half British, half American). The Development Team fulfilled all the requests of members and intertwined activities and events that richly nurtured our minds, bodies and spirits. Emeritus Fellow Dr. Savile Bradbury and Mr Brian Wilson (1948) were outstanding tour directors for Sulgrave Manor, Westminster Palaces and the College, but were equally entertaining in their own right. After breakfast, we started each day with Morning Prayers in the Damon Wells Chapel and nearly everyone attended. The Commemoration of Founders and Benefactors was inspiring as the Chapel resounded with the rich voices of songs, readings and the splendid, melodious organ. Dr. Robert Stevens introduced the lectures which we all enjoyed each morning, leading off with his "Symposium - the Future of Pembroke". We met the 'relatively new' Fellow, Mr Owen Darbishire, whose topic was "Management at Pembroke and Oxford University" and Dr. Helen Small who spoke about "Developments in Oxford Higher Education". Our beloved Rev. Dr. John Platt, the mainstay of Pembroke for most of our members, continued to educate us on Pembroke's history with the "Impact of Pembrokians on the life of the USA." The diversity of disciplines at Pembroke was demonstrated with the other lectures: "How the British Entered the First World War" by Dr. Adrian Gregory, "Bird-Brained Economists" by Professor Alex Kacelnik and "Chaos and the Weather" by Dr. Lenny Smith. Mrs Kathie Booth Stevens gave us an aesthetically pleasing taste and tour of the Ashmolean as the head of the Education Programme there. Family reunions at Pembroke included Members, Fellows, family and friends of all ages. Pembrokians attending ranged from Sir George Sinclair who matriculated in 1931 to Ms Michelle Riley of 1994. During the final dinner on Thursday evening, I remarked that it felt like Thanksgiving Day with the family. Everyone felt truly "welcomed home".
Pembroke profile
Anthony Russell, Q.C. (1970) a personal profile
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0 be asked to write a profile of oneself is not as easy a task for an advocate to carry out as might be imagined. Our skills are in showing others in the best or worst possible light. We tend to shelter behind shields for self-preservation and privacy. I came up with an Exhibition in Law in 1970, having decided to apply to Pembroke as a result of a visit to Oxford with my parents. On entering the lodge after being overawed by Tom Quad we chanced to meet Dr. Bradbury, who, hearing that I was hoping to study at Oxford, invited us to explore and informed us that Pembroke was a very friendly college. It was, and is, also a very pretty college and the window boxes were at their finest that June. I do not think I was a very good scholar, emerging with a pretty average second. I particularly enjoyed the study of jurisprudence and legal history, not subjects I have been able to put to practical use. However, I did learn to adopt an analytical approach to my work, which has stood me in good stead, and acquired an ability to think on my feet when bluffing my way through many an ill-prepared tutorial! These are probably the two most important skills an advocate needs. I was called to the Bar by the Middle Temple in 1974 and joined my chambers in Manchester, where I embarked upon a varied career, tackling a wide variety of work as we did in those days. One of the regrettable features of practice at the Bar nowadays is that barristers specialise from an early stage. The idea that it is advocacy that is the speciality is no longer in fashion. However, over the years my own practice became more specialised, and orientated towards criminal work, particularly prosecuting. Within this speciality I acquired a reputation for fraud work. Indeed, for almost five years I was engaged virtually full-time as Junior Counsel for the Crown in a series of cases arising from an enquiry into corruption in a North West Council. Hardly a glamorous practice, but as a result I was appointed Standing Counsel to the Inland Revenue on the Northern Circuit, and it was, I think, as a specialist in fraud that I was appointed a Queen's Counsel in 1999.
" taking silk is a risky business "
Taking silk is a risky business - it is almost like creating a new beginning. I am glad to say that, in the year since I was appointed, my practice has flourished and expanded. I have, in addition to prosecuting fraud, defended in a number of cases. Practice as a barrister on the Northern Circuit is very agreeable. There is a strong tradition of circuit life revolving around regular "Bar Mess" dinners, a reminder that in days gone by, barristers followed the Assize Judge round the Circuit, lodging together and "messing" in favoured hostelries. For a while I was Junior of the Northern Circuit, which meant that I organised and attended all these
dinners. I currently edit the Northern Circuit Journal `In Brief', which is published three times a year. My life at Pembroke was by no means only concerned with the study of law. I was President of the Blackstone Society, which under my reign was more of a social group than anything else. I was also President of OUCA, although I have had nothing to do with politics since coming down. Indeed my brand of conservatism, though regarded as somewhat reactionary in the early 70s, would be branded as very wet these days! Some of my happiest memories are of the Chapel, in my role as Sacristan and a member of the Choir. I sang in Manchester Cathedral for several years, and now sing as a member of St. Ann's Church Choir in Manchester. Singing has become a very important part of my life. In addition to singing in church choirs, I give solo recitals and perform as a soloist with several local choirs, having studied singing privately. For many years I was a regular at the Dener Academy of Early Music in Provence, where I learnt a great deal about the performance of Renaissance and Baroque music and did much solo work. Life has not always been easy, but when -difficulties have ar-iscn I have been fortunate to have a supportive network of family and good friends, several of whom date back to Pembroke days. I count myself fortunate to have become part of the Pembroke family. A great advantage of being a Queen' s Counsel is that I can do most of my preparatory work at home, and have space between cases, and so I have acquired a new home, a very old house (Tudor), near Rochdale, where I can indulge another love - the countryside. I now live within 2 miles of the Pennine Way and have stunning views of the Pennines and across the Cheshire Plain to North Wales. My immediate ambition is to create a garden from the unpromising 2 acres of nettle-clad hillside that came with the house. Inspiring though the Pembroke gardens are, I doubt I shall be able to emulate them!
Pembroke Golf Society Inaugural Golf Meeting INETEEN Pembrokians took part in our first annual meeting, which was held at Frilford Heath Golf Club, near Abingdon, on Wednesday 28th June. The day began with an informal competition over the first nine holes of the Blue Course. This was followed by a convivial lunch, during which the Society held a meeting. Graham McCallum was confirmed as president of the Society, and Richard Thompson as secretary. The main event was an eighteen hole Stableford in the afternoon on the championship Red Course. This is a long course (6,900 yards) where the pervasive gorse calls for a straight tee shot! The Winner was Geoffrey Batchelor (1948) with a highly creditable score of 35, narrowly beating Peter Letts (1954) on the same score, on the count-back. The Third Prize went to Richard Graham (1964) with 32 points. The whole day passed in very good spirits, and members seemed genuinely delighted to see some familiar old faces in a golfing ambience. The next meeting has since been fixed at New Zealand Golf Club (Surrey) on Friday 29th June 2001. New members will be most welcome. Please contact Richard Thompson at 10 Orchard Way, Send, Woking, GU23 7HS.
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Left to right; Peter Letts, Clive Edwards, Dick Hayes, Peter Turner, Richard Graham, Richard Jenkins, Nicholas Rigg, Richard Thompson, Paddy Nolan, John Drysdale, Graham McCallum, Tom Hutchinson, Brian Bevan, Horace Ball, Geoffrey Batchelor, Graham Simpson, Tony Stirratt, John Barlow, Keith McNeish
Here and There
JCR President A 'cellist not a rower T am a novel choice as the JCR's new president, studying history and Italian (admittedly only a slight variation on the historian succeeds historian theme); a 'cellist not a rower and not particularly skilled at downing pints (one marvels at how I survived hustings). My conviction to represent and defend JCR members, though, is familiar and I will do so with the energy and verve that only someone of my youthful years would consider sane. In this I am aided by the work of my predecessors who have fostered steps towards a much more constructive relationship between the JCR and SCR. Many SCRs in Oxford are viewed as fiercesome Scyllas whereas, despite some spirited encounters, there is a mutual respect in Pembroke (woefully lacking in other colleges) that eases most moments of discord. Needless to say, my priority will be to represent the JCR and I will not shrink from defending our rights but notwithstanding, I will also seek to maintain the respectful relationship that exists between the two bodies. Amongst my own kind, I relish the prospect of chairing the JCR meetings which remain some of the most vibrant and best attended in the university, with members displaying a rare and impressive interest and concern for a broad spectrum of issues. The serious motions are happily tempered by the more humorous and bizarre. Within weeks of being elected, the JCR mandated me to craft my coat into a pink tartan comedy beard (I wish I could offer an explanation but, in my reluctance to accept that the motion was really born out of hostility towards the beloved garment, I am unable to offer one). The endlessly entertaining side to the JCR should not cloud the enormously important work it does in providing support for those with financial difficulties, offering a wellorganized welfare service, promoting artistic and sporting talent and acting as a forum for serious debate on issues that affect students. For this and for the sheer force of character of the JCR I am left with a feeling of immense honour as I embark upon my role as president. Gemma Stevenson
Pembroke Christmas cards 2000 Available from the Development Office priced (per pack of 10) ÂŁ5.95 or $10 US The card is 210mm by 148mm (A5) and inside is "Season's Greetings" or just plain ECOND -year student Rebecca Birtwhistle has designed this year's Christmas card for members. Rebecca, who is reading Fine Art at Pembroke, comes from an artistic background. Her mother Linda is a fine art trader, her father John, an artist who specialises in greeting card design.
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"Finding some time to myself during the latter part of the Trinity Term I took the opportunity to produce a number of drawings around Pembroke, making a deliberate effort to find more unusual views of the college. Although I have always had an interest in architecture, more recently I have begun to investigate aspects of architecture beyond the pure aesthetics. This may in part be the result of my first year spent studying at The Ruskin School of Drawing and Fine Art, which has encouraged a new way of thinking about the ideas behind, and the production of, my work. I spent much of my first year alert to the beauty of my surroundings, including the glimpse of Chapel Quad from my window in North Quad. When I wasn't involved with work for the Ruskin I enjoyed spending time back at college or playing a game of hockey. In October I take up my position as 'Art Rep' and a director of the college Art Fund. As well as maintaining and loaning out our current collection to the undergraduates, I look forward to the opportunity of acquiring new works and discovering more about the importance of the Fund within our college system." Rebecca Birtwhistle
Pembroke Merchandise
Gone Fishin' One person's dream is another's nightmare His summer, the College is completing Phase II of the Chapel Quad renovation. Staircase 9 is making excellent progress, far less stressful than last year when we experienced many structural problems. This time we prepared and planned for them. But, Staircase 2 is a different tale. It is a Grade I Listed Building which adds another complication (Staircase 9 and 10 are Grade II). English Heritage have to approve the Architects plans as well as obtaining the Conservation Officer's approval by the appropriate Government department. The Architects (Carter Jonas) worked closely with Oxford Conservation and gained approval f r nn English Heritage ahead of the paperwork being put in place. We were relieved. The design included partitioning a particularly large room to provide an additional student bedroom - it got through). Learning from Staircase 10 experience, we agreed that during the Easter Vacation we would carry out investigatory work to check for wood rot and structural defects on Staircase 2. Having to minimise disruption due to the occupation of the rooms, the search was restricted to cutting a section in the plaster, checking exposed timbers and floors. The oak staircase needed major works, and there was 'some' evidence of rotten timbers, but it did not look to be widespread famous last words. Work began on Monday, 3 July 2000. By 17 July the Bursar felt a deepening gloom. The extent of the woodrot was greater than anticipated and active deathwatch beetle was discovered. The Architect requested a check of the ground-floor supporting joists. The JCR floorboards were rotting badly; they were placed directly on the earth with no airflow or ventilation. It seemed that there was a basement below. With the floorboards lifted to check the joists, excavations began, many of the joists were rotten, and then the nightmare discovery! The Site Manager knocked tentatively on the Bursar's Office door. She was in a meeting. He beckoned for a 'quiet word'. During the excavations they had found. .. he opened his hand to reveal a selection of bones. Thoughts flashed through the Bursar' s mind - media interest, archaeological dig, police interest ... and the reality, area cordoned off, work stopped - oh no - just what we need. The police were informed, the bones collected and delivered to the John Radcliffe Pathology Department. The City Archaeologist was called and the project halted. If the bones are over 100 years old - the police are not interested. If they are human, we have to apply for a Home Office Licence to continue to excavate and disturb them. The work must be supervised by the Archaeological Unit and photographed and written records made. The College must pay for this. Whilst we await the result from the John Radcliffe, the archaeological unit suspend further excavations. The John Radcliffe 'think' some of the bones 'might' be human, but can not definitely say without more and bigger samples. They are passed to the Archaeological Unit and they are to have the final word. Whilst waiting for the Archaeological Unit, the Bursar decides to enlist the help of Pembroke's own Professor David Mason (Cellular Pathology) and Dr Savile Bradbury, Emeritus Medical Fellow. Professor Mason identifies some of the bones as human; some he is unsure of and suggests that the Bursar checks with Savile. Savile identifies all the bones, some as human and some animal and comments that Professor Mason never specialised in Human Anatomy! The Archaeologists confirm the bones as animal and therefore no further input is required. The Bursar decides not to argue! Just as she thinks the project can restart - sigh of relief- the Archaeologists unearth a medieval fireplace! The Bursar's gloom deepens further; the Chaplain (writing the College History) is delighted. Photographs are taken, records written - 5 days lost. The extent of the wood rot found in the supporting joists is worrying, the Structural Engineer is called. The building is declared unsafe, it must be propped. Further investigation reveals extensive damage to floor joists also. The extent of the destruction requires the intervention of the Conservation Officer (one cannot just remove timbers from a Grade I Listed Building!), The Bursar halts the job once again - the building must be made safe. The Conservation Officer must be called ... this is where I must leave you in the sure knowledge that the Staircase will not be ready for Student occupation in October 2000. The Bursar has a headache ... Written by the Bursar from the Upper Kircoch Fishing Hut (I have escaped to recuperate forafar days before meeting further challenges ahead). Janette Griffiths
Diary Dates Thursday 22nd September PEMBROKE SOCIETY DINNER - please contact if you did not receive details with your Summer Pembrokian or the recent Record. Further information is on the Development Office website (www.pmb.ox.ac.uk and click on Fundraising and Development) Friday 5th January 2001 GAUDY for years 1992-1993 - invitations and further details will be sent to these matriculation years two or three months in advance. Tuesday March 6th 2001 PEMBROKE BUSINESS GROUP. Mr Rod Eddington (Lecturer in Engineering at Pembroke in the 1970s and now CEO of British Airways) has agreed to speak at this function. If you would like to join the Business Group (00) please contact the Development Office (01865 276 478 or Joanne.Bowley@pmb.ox.ac.uk)
Orders received before 1st December are guaranteed to be delivered before Christmas. Please contact Steve Rhodes Tel: 01865 276425 WE ARE SEEKING MUCH-NEEDED SPONSORSHIP OF FUTURE PUBLICATIONS OF THE PEMBROKIAN. IF YOU ARI • ABLE TO HELP IN ANY WAY, INCLUDING PLACEMENT OF ADVERTISEMENTS, PLEASE CONTACT THE DEVELOPMENT OFFICE OR E-MAIL THE EDITOR
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Tesdale's Arms
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HE shield on the front page and the crest on pages 2 and 3 can be found in the stained-glass oriel window of Broadgates Hall. The shield with its teasels is obviously a punning reference to the name of our co-founder. Heraldic description: argent, a chevron vert, between three teasels proper.